Mental Health Association Announces New CEO

New CEO Bridget Krautwurst

The Mental Health Association of Frederick County (MHA) is excited to announce the appointment of Bridget Krautwurst as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 23, 2024. With a distinguished career in healthcare, Krautwurst brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to MHA’s values of building a strong foundation of emotional wellness in the community.

We are thrilled to welcome Bridget Krautwurst to MHA. She follows a tradition of exceptional leaders in the organization and we are confident she will continue that legacy.” says Carin Golze, President of MHA’s Board of Directors. “She will provide visionary leadership and perspective that will propel the organization towards new heights. We are enthusiastic about the future of MHA under her guidance.”

As new CEO, Bridget Krautwurst will spearhead the Mental Health Association’s efforts to meet the ever-changing behavioral health needs of our community. She is replacing former CEO Shannon Aleshire, who retired from MHA earlier this year following a distinguished career in the organization. In the interim, MHA has been led by Acting Chief Program Officer/Director of Crisis Services Division Suzi Borg and Acting Chief Operating Officer/Director of Human Resources and Administration Amy Thompson.

Since 2014, Krautwurst has served as Director of Regulatory and Patient Relations at Carroll Hospital; she has worked extensively in areas such regulatory compliance, budget management, staff development, organizational education and communications. Her background will be instrumental in advancing MHA’s mission.

“I am honored and grateful to the Board of Directors for their appointment to the CEO role,” says Bridget Krautwurst. “This new chapter brings a great deal of excitement. I am looking forward to getting to know the team at MHA and working alongside them to continue MHA’s longstanding history of service in our beloved community.”

Krautwurst was selected following a national search conducted by the CEO Search Committee co-chaired by current Board Treasurer Scott McCaskill and former Board President Guy Fletcher.

“We are pleased to have Bridget Krautwurst leading the MHA team. There were many outstanding candidates seeking this position, which is a credit to both MHA’s staff and the organization’s reputation in our community. We believe her experience combined with her vision for the organization will benefit MHA for years,” McCaskill says.

Please join us in welcoming Bridget to MHA.

The Mental Health Association of Frederick County builds a strong foundation of emotional wellness for the whole community by preparing resilient children, securing vulnerable families and standing with people to face crises together.